Bolton`s super-featherweight prospect, Abdul Khan, is set to return to the ring tonight in Accra, Ghana. His fight is part of the `Battle of the Beasts` undercard, airing live on DAZN. Abdul, a relative of former world champion Amir Khan, holds significant aspirations in the sport.
“It`s been about six months since my last fight, and I`ve been training extremely hard, waiting for my next date,” Abdul stated recently. “I need consistent activity right now, so I`m very thankful for this major chance on a large platform like DAZN and for the opportunity to fight in Africa. I`m really looking forward to experiencing Ghana.”
He added, “I`ve been keeping busy in the gym, maintaining sharpness with my coach Alex Matvienko, working on various aspects to enhance my abilities and progress further. I`m fully prepared to fight; the night can`t come soon enough.”
Khan is familiar with competing abroad, having fought professionally four times outside the UK in Dubai. Fighting in Ghana represents another welcome opportunity, leveraging his prior experience in overseas bouts.
“I feel genuinely fortunate to have fought in countries like the UAE and now Ghana, a place not typically known for hosting many major boxing events, especially on big platforms like DAZN,” Khan commented. “I put in a lot of hard work, and if I wasn`t serious, I wouldn`t feel I deserved these chances. But my team and I know the effort I invest daily, so I believe I`ve earned this.”
“My coach Alex frequently expresses how impressed he is by the hard work I dedicate every day,” Abdul continued. “He considers my commitment to the sport my best quality. He`s seen me grow from a child into a man since I started boxing. I did train elsewhere for a period when I was younger, picking up different skills, but I eventually returned to his gym as a more developed fighter. I think everything unfolded as it was meant to.”
While Khan has primarily competed at super-featherweight, he has also fought at lightweight and super-lightweight. Following discussions with his coach, he now believes super-featherweight is his optimal weight class for the foreseeable future.
“Alex has known me since I was eight, so he understands what`s best for me regarding my fighting weight,” Khan explained. “As people know, I`ve fought at super-lightweight and lightweight, but I truly believe super-feather is where I am strongest, and Alex agrees.”
“Sometimes people in boxing underestimate the importance of the fighter/coach bond,” he noted. “When facing difficulties in the ring, you need faith in your coach and corner team to guide you. For me, in those critical moments, I have complete confidence that my coach and cornermen will provide the necessary instructions to navigate the fight.”
“Finally, I want to say it`s an honour to fight in Ghana and contribute to the event,” Abdul concluded. “I hope this paves the way for more boxing events not just in Ghana, but across Africa. I`m aware that cards are planned for Pakistan this year. I hope this creates a ripple effect, bringing boxing to many countries worldwide that aren`t traditionally major destinations for large boxing cards. It`s time for the sport to be globally represented, and I want to be a part of that.”
